Process of preventing fire by nontoxic substances



Sept. 12, 1933. 1. MIDGLEY, JR., E1'- Al.

PROCESS OF PREVENTING FIRE BY NONTOXIC SUBSTANCES Filed July 3l, 1950 INVE TA/BS fwd/Lw u 'M ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 12,1933

PROCESS F PBEVENTING FIRE BY NONTOXIC SUBSTANCES Thomas Midgley, Jr., Worthington, Albert L. Henne, Columbus. and Robert R. McNary, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to Frigidaire Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application July 31, 1930. Serial No. 472,180

14 Claims.

This invention relates to putting out res and its principal objects are toV` employ for this purpose the halogen derivative of hydrocarbon compounds containing fluorine which compounds have many desirable properties not present in the common flame arresters such as carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride, etc., which are now commonly employed.

We have found that the halo-derivatives of l0 hydrocarbon compounds containing iluorine have nre extinguishing properties in varying degrees depending chiefly .on the relative hydrogen atom content to total halogen content but varying also with the structure of the compound and l5 in the direction shown by arrows on the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 gives the compounds of the methane group and Fig. 2 parts taken together with the key gives compounds of the ethane group. The dash lines show direction of increase in other halogen content. These same general rules apply Where bromine and iodine are used in place of chlorine in the compounds. In Fig. 1 the complete formula for each compound is found by making the halogen substitution for hydrogen in the formula CH4. In Fig. 2 the character of each compound is given by numerals. As for example 1.7, represents the compound CHzF-CHClF.

We prefer to use compounds in which the hydrogen atom content is not any greater than the total halogen atom content.

These ame arresters may be employed either with an apparatus from which they are pumped onto the ame in which case the compound may have a boiling point above warm temperature or they may be used in pressure devices in which a low boiling compound is employed which creates suiicient pressure to expel itself from thev apparatus.

By way of example we may confine dichlorodiuoro-methane under pressure in a valved tank. When using this re extinguisher the valve may be opened and the liquid stream pro- 5 duced by the pressure of the chemical itself discharges the flame arrester into the atmosphere near the burning material.

The method of charting may be employed with other groups of compounds coming within the 5G general formula halo-derivatives of hydrocarbon compounds containing uorine andl including groups having a higher carbon content.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow:

Not only are these compounds new as fire extinguishers but they present new properties within this Afield and including non-toxicity and a mode of action which does not depend primarily on a blanketing effect as in the case with carbon dioxide and other common re extinguishers.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. The process of arresting a flame which comprises directing into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the ame a halo-derivative of a hydrocarbon containing uorine.

2. The process of extinguishing a flame which comprises directing into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the ame a halo-derivative of a hydrocarbon compound containing fluorine in which the hydrogen content is no greater than the total halogen content.

3. The process of extinguishing a ame comprising projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the flame dchloro-difiuoromethane.

4. The process of extinguishing a flame comprising projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the ame an organic derivative containing uorine.

5. The process of extinguishing a flame comprising projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the flame an organic derivative containing fluorine and in which the hydrogen content is no greater than the total halogen content.

6. The process of extinguishing a ame com-` prising projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the flame an aliphatic derivative containing iiuorine.

7. The process of extinguishing a ame comprising projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the flame an aliphatic derivative containing fluorine and in which the hydrogen content is no greater than the total halogen content.

8. The process of arresting a ame which comprises projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the dame a halo-fluoro derivative oi. methane.

9. The process of arresting a flame comprising projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the flame a halo-nuoro derivative of methane.

10. The process of arresting a ame comprising projecting into the atmosphere in the`neighborhood of the ame a halo-nuoro derivative of ethane and in which the hydrogen content is no greater than the total halogen content.

11. The process of arresting a flame which comprises projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the flame a halo-nuoro derivative of methane and in which the total hydrogen content is no greater than the total halogen content. v

ing projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the fiame a halo-nuoro derivative ot an aliphatic hydrocarbon.

13. The process of arresting a flame comprising projecting into the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the tiame a halo-nuoro derivative of an aliphatic hydrocarbon and in which the hydrogen content is no greater than the total halogencontent. l

.14. The process which comprises projecting into the atmosphere surrounding a possible point .of combustion, a. halo-uoro derivative of meth- 12. The process of arresting a iame compris` ane. v

THOMAS MDJGLEY, JR. ALBERT L. HENNE.

ROBERT R. MCNARY.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1, 926, 396.

` September l2, 1933.

THOMAS MIDGLEY, JR., ET AL.'

1t is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page l, line 107, claim 9, for "methane" read ethane; and that thesaid Letters Patentshouldbe read with this correction therein that the samel may conform Ato the record of, the case in the Patent Office.

F. M. Hopkins Acting Commissioner of Patenti. 

